Study of the ichthyofauna diet in the Ichkeul Lake (Tunisia)

Abstract

In order to define the structure of trophic network of Ichkeul Lake in Tunisia, diet of main teleost fish species was determined during two seasons, wet and dry. A total of 491 stomachs from 16 teleost species was analyzed. The analysis revealed spatial variability (East under marine influence and West with more continental effect) and temporal one (wet and dry seasons). Based on stomach contents, nine trophic groups were revealed, including eight monospecific groups. The main prey are mudflat snails (Hydrobia ventrosa, H. acuta), bivalves (Abra alba, Cerastoderma glaucum), amphipods and isopods, as well as seagrass (Potamogeton pectinatus, Ruppia cirrhosa) and water brackish algae (Ulva spp. and Chaetomorpha spp., Cladophora sp., Polysiphonia sp.)